Google’s annual Frightgeist report reveals a seismic shift in Halloween 2025 costume preferences, with characters from Netflix’s blockbuster animated musical “KPop Demon Hunters” claiming an unprecedented clean sweep of the top five most-searched costumes nationwide. Published on October 9, the data-driven analysis using Google Trends search patterns shows that the summer’s massively popular film has transformed from streaming sensation into the defining cultural phenomenon of this year’s Halloween season. Meanwhile, Labubu—the collectible monster plush toy that’s become a viral sensation thanks to BLACKPINK’s Lisa—secured the seventh spot, signaling the convergence of K-pop culture, collectible mania, and Halloween creativity.
KPop Demon Hunters: The Unstoppable Force of Halloween 2025
After breaking records on Netflix when it debuted in August 2025, “KPop Demon Hunters” is now conquering Halloween with extraordinary search dominance. According to Google’s analytics, characters from the animated movie musical have captured all five top spots in the 2025 costume search rankings—an achievement unprecedented in Frightgeist history.
| Rank | Character | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rumi | KPop Demon Hunters | Lead vocalist of Huntr/X |
| #2 | Zoey | KPop Demon Hunters | Huntr/X member |
| #3 | Mira | KPop Demon Hunters | Huntr/X member |
| #4 | Jinu | KPop Demon Hunters | Demon boy band leader |
| #5 | Baby Saja | KPop Demon Hunters | Supporting character |
| #7 | Labubu | Pop Mart collectible | Nine-toothed monster plush |
| #8 | Derpy The Tiger | KPop Demon Hunters | Animal sidekick |
The unprecedented dominance means that six of the top eight Halloween 2025 costume searches relate to the same Netflix property—a testament to the film’s cultural penetration and the passionate fanbase it cultivated during its summer release.
Understanding the KPop Demon Hunters Phenomenon
The original film follows fictional K-pop superstar trio HUNTR/X—consisting of Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo)—who balance their pop stardom with secret identities as demon hunters protecting their fans from supernatural threats. The narrative combines the global appeal of K-pop aesthetics with supernatural action, creating characters that resonate across age demographics and cultural boundaries.
Why Rumi Tops Halloween 2025 Searches
Rumi, the lead vocalist of the fictional group, has emerged as the breakout character driving Halloween 2025 costume trends. As the protagonist navigating dual lives—chart-topping pop star by day, demon slayer by night—Rumi embodies empowerment, style, and action-hero appeal that resonates particularly with younger audiences and Gen Z cosplayers.
Her riveting storyline combined with viral-worthy songs (particularly “Golden,” which has become a TikTok sensation) have made Rumi costumes the most sought-after Halloween 2025 look. Retailers report that Rumi costumes hit stores just in time for Halloween, with many locations struggling to keep inventory stocked as demand surged following the Frightgeist report publication.
The character has become a cosplay favorite on TikTok and school playgrounds alike, introducing a new generation to anime-fantasy heroines with pop-star flair. This cross-genre appeal—blending K-pop fashion, supernatural elements, and empowering narratives—explains why Rumi has captured the Halloween 2025 imagination so completely.
The Villain’s Appeal: Jinu’s Surprising Popularity
While heroes typically dominate costume searches, Jinu—the demon boy band leader who serves as the primary antagonist—has claimed the #4 spot in Halloween 2025 rankings. This villain popularity reveals an interesting trend: audiences are drawn to complex characters regardless of moral alignment.
Jinu leads a rival boy band made up of demons in disguise, creating dramatic tension and memorable musical numbers that showcase both vocal talent and supernatural menace. His stylish villain aesthetic, complete with K-pop idol fashion and demonic undertones, offers Halloween 2025 costume-seekers an edgier alternative to traditional hero characters.
The character’s appeal demonstrates how sophisticated storytelling in animated films creates multidimensional antagonists that audiences want to embody, not just root against.
Labubu’s Halloween 2025 Breakthrough: From Blind Box to Costume Craze
A decade after Labubu dolls were first introduced by Hong Kong-based Chinese toy company Pop Mart, search interest reached an all-time high this year, according to Google, which named them the seventh-most trending costume of Halloween 2025.
The BLACKPINK Lisa Effect
Labubu’s mainstream breakthrough came courtesy of BLACKPINK’s Lisa, who endorsed and popularized the collectible. Most significantly, Lisa dressed as a Labubu (while carrying one) at her London concert, catapulting the character from niche collectible status into full-blown fashion phenomenon.
The mischievous nine-toothed critter jumped from blind-box shelves to full-blown subculture, driven by raves, resale frenzies, and endless memes. Pop Mart reportedly generated $677 million in revenue in the first half of 2025 alone, with Labubu accounting for a significant portion of those sales.
The Weird-Cute Aesthetic That Defines Halloween 2025
Labubu embodies the “ugly-cute” aesthetic that has captured Gen Z and millennial sensibilities—creatures that toe the line between adorable and slightly unsettling. With big ears, a slightly feral yet cute look, and that signature nine-toothed grin, Labubu represents what one parent described as the costume that signals your kid is “big into energy.”
| Labubu Feature | Appeal Factor | Halloween 2025 Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Nine teeth | Quirky, memorable | Creates distinctive look |
| Large ears | Anime-influenced | Easy to craft/recognize |
| Multiple colors | Customizable | Group costume potential |
| Collectible origin | Built-in fanbase | Trendy, culturally relevant |
| Celebrity endorsement | Lisa from BLACKPINK | Mainstream credibility |
The character has transcended the collectable category and entered the fashion space in full force, making it one of the defining symbols of Halloween 2025 alongside the KPop Demon Hunters characters.
Retail Reality: Can Stores Keep Up with Halloween 2025 Demand?
The unexpected dominance of KPop Demon Hunters characters has created supply chain challenges for Halloween retailers. Unlike perennial favorites such as superheroes or princesses—which stores stock year after year—these trending Halloween 2025 costumes caught many retailers off-guard.
Fast Company reports that retailers are scrambling to meet demand, with costume manufacturers working overtime to produce KPop Demon Hunters outfits. The situation mirrors past years when unexpected pop culture phenomena (like “Squid Game” in 2021) created last-minute costume shortages.
DIY Halloween 2025 Costumes Surge
The supply challenge has sparked creativity, with parents and cosplayers turning to DIY solutions for both KPop Demon Hunters and Labubu costumes. TikTok has seen dozens of videos (a number growing steadily) on “How to Be a Labubu for Halloween,” while Pinterest boards overflow with KPop Demon Hunters costume hacks.
For Labubu costumes specifically, DIYers recommend:
- Modifying bunny ear headbands to Labubu proportions
- Using morphsuits or full-body spandex suits as bases
- Layering faux fur fabric for the signature fluffy look
- Creating serrated teeth from craft foam
- Shopping “long pile faux fur” on Amazon for color variety
The DIY trend has become part of Halloween 2025’s charm, with families bonding over crafting sessions and social media communities sharing tips, patterns, and troubleshooting advice.
Beyond the Top 10: Other Halloween 2025 Trends
While KPop Demon Hunters and Labubu dominate headlines, Google’s Frightgeist report reveals other notable Halloween 2025 trends across different categories.
Kids’ Costume Trends for Halloween 2025
- Wednesday Addams – Goth girl core remains eternal, with Netflix’s show keeping braids-and-black-dress zeitgeist alive
- Angel (Lilo & Stitch) – The pink-furred Experiment 624 offers a fresh twist on classic Disney
- Taylor Swift “Showgirl” – Thanks to Eras Tour and upcoming album “The Life of a Showgirl”
- Axolotl – The “smiling salamander” has become the cutest creature kids want to embody
- Minecraft Chicken Jockey – A baby zombie riding a chicken represents gaming’s influence on Halloween 2025
Pet Costume Trends
Surprisingly, Labubu also claimed the top spot for dog costumes in Halloween 2025, demonstrating the character’s universal appeal across species. The big-eared, fluffy aesthetic translates surprisingly well to canine companions, with pet owners embracing the opportunity to coordinate costumes with their children or create viral social media content.
The Cultural Significance of Halloween 2025’s Trends
The domination of KPop Demon Hunters characters and the rise of Labubu reveal several important cultural shifts shaping Halloween 2025 and beyond.
Streaming Content Drives Real-World Behavior
Netflix’s influence on Halloween 2025 cannot be overstated. The platform’s ability to create cultural moments that translate into consumer behavior demonstrates how streaming services have become primary drivers of pop culture trends. Unlike theatrical releases with limited windows, Netflix’s global simultaneous release allowed “KPop Demon Hunters” to become a shared cultural experience across continents.
The Globalization of Halloween
The prominence of K-pop-influenced characters and Asian-originated collectibles like Labubu signals Halloween’s evolution from Western tradition to global celebration. Halloween 2025 reflects cultural exchange, with Korean entertainment, Japanese anime aesthetics, and Chinese toy design converging in American costume choices.
Fandom Culture Shapes Mainstream Choices
The speed with which “KPop Demon Hunters” translated from niche animated film to Halloween 2025’s dominant force showcases fandom culture’s mainstream influence. Cosplay, once considered subcultural, has become the template for Halloween costume creation, with accuracy and creative interpretation valued over commercial convenience.
State-by-State Variations in Halloween 2025 Searches
Google’s Frightgeist report includes state-by-state breakdowns, revealing regional variations in Halloween 2025 preferences. While KPop Demon Hunters characters dominated nationally, some states showed stronger preferences for specific characters:
- Coastal states (California, New York) showed higher Rumi searches, possibly reflecting larger K-pop fanbases
- Southern states demonstrated more balanced interest across all three Huntr/X members
- Midwestern states showed surprisingly strong Labubu interest, suggesting the collectible’s appeal transcends urban centers
These regional variations reflect local pop culture consumption patterns, demographic differences, and the varying penetration of streaming services and social media trends across American geography.
The Economic Impact of Halloween 2025 Trends
The costume industry generates billions annually, and Halloween 2025’s trends represent significant economic activity across multiple sectors.
Costume retailers, fabric stores, and craft suppliers all benefit from the DIY surge driven by hard-to-find official costumes. Pop Mart’s Labubu line has seen exponential sales growth, with the original collectibles becoming even more valuable as Halloween 2025 approaches. Resale markets on platforms like eBay and Mercari report increased activity for both Labubu toys and KPop Demon Hunters merchandise.
Social Media Amplification of Halloween 2025 Trends
TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest have become essential platforms for Halloween 2025 costume inspiration, tutorials, and showcasing. Hashtags like #KPopDemonHuntersHalloween, #LabubuCostume, and #Halloween2025 have generated millions of views, creating viral loops that amplify trending costumes further.
Cosplayers attending conventions like New York Comic Con in early October provided preview snapshots of KPop Demon Hunters costumes, generating buzz and setting standards for Halloween 2025 execution. These convention appearances—captured and shared across social media—serve as unofficial advertisements for the costumes, driving additional search interest.
FAQs
What are the top 5 most-searched Halloween 2025 costumes according to Google?
According to Google’s Frightgeist report, the top 5 Halloween 2025 costumes are all from “KPop Demon Hunters”: #1 Rumi, #2 Zoey, #3 Mira, #4 Jinu, and #5 Baby Saja. This marks the first time a single property has claimed all five top spots in Google’s annual costume search rankings, demonstrating the Netflix film’s extraordinary cultural impact.
Why is Labubu trending for Halloween 2025?
Labubu, ranking #7 in Halloween 2025 searches, gained mainstream popularity after BLACKPINK’s Lisa endorsed and wore the collectible at her London concert. The nine-toothed monster from Pop Mart represents the “ugly-cute” aesthetic that appeals to Gen Z and millennials. A decade after its introduction, Labubu reached all-time high search interest in 2025, fueled by resale frenzies, social media memes, and its $677 million revenue impact.
Where can I find KPop Demon Hunters costumes for Halloween 2025?
KPop Demon Hunters costumes hit retail stores in time for Halloween 2025, though high demand has created stock shortages. Official costumes are available at major retailers, but many consumers are creating DIY versions using tutorials on TikTok and Pinterest. Online marketplaces like Amazon, costume specialty stores, and craft suppliers offer components for assembling custom versions of Rumi, Zoey, Mira, and other characters.
What is “KPop Demon Hunters” and why is it so popular for Halloween 2025?
“KPop Demon Hunters” is a Netflix animated musical film that debuted in August 2025, following fictional K-pop group Huntr/X (Rumi, Mira, and Zoey) who secretly battle demons while maintaining pop star careers. The film broke Netflix records and became a cultural phenomenon by blending K-pop aesthetics, supernatural action, and empowering narratives. Its characters offer stylish, recognizable costumes perfect for Halloween 2025 while appealing to multiple demographics.
Are Labubu and KPop Demon Hunters costumes appropriate for all ages in Halloween 2025?
Yes, both costume trends are family-friendly for Halloween 2025. KPop Demon Hunters characters appeal across ages from children to adults, offering hero and villain options. Labubu’s quirky-cute design works for kids, adults, and even pets (it’s the #1 trending dog costume). The “weird-cute” aesthetic and K-pop inspired fashion make these Halloween 2025 trends accessible and appealing to diverse age groups, though specific character choices may vary by age preference.
